AVON, Conn. (WTNH) — Nearly one month since a fire at the Avon Place apartments forced dozens of families out of their homes, displaced tenants said management is no longer paying for their hotel rooms.
Nerraj Gupta, who was displaced along with his wife and two children, said that they received an email Wednesday night stating that accommodations were expiring Thursday and there were no other options.
“That was shocking to me,” Gupta said. “I was with my family having my dinner, and suddenly this email pops up saying that we need to vacate tomorrow.”
The email went on to say that management explored properties in Avon, Wethersfield and Stamford; but Gupta said that is challenging for working families with school-aged children.
“Everybody is in the same difficult spot, that they don’t have any clarity,” Gupta said.
News 8 spoke to the property owner, Ahron Rudich, by phone and asked for clarity.
“We just found out [Wednesday at 5PM] that the [insurance] coverage ends, and we’re way over the coverage,” Rudich told News 8. “I have to pay for that.”
Rudich said he has spent more than $200,000 of personal funds for hotel fees.
He told News 8 that crews are on-site to restore the complex, but town leaders are holding them back.
“We have done everything [Avon leaders] have asked us to do,” Rudich said. “They still didn’t give us the green light. All of a sudden, yesterday at the end of the day, we received a new letter with a hundred things on it of more things that have to get done, which don’t even make sense.”
Avon Town Manager Brandon Robertson declined to comment on camera, but provided a written statement.
“The Town of Avon’s heart goes out to those dealing with the aftermath of this terrible event,” he wrote. “The Fire Marshal and Building Official have provided a list of required repairs that need to be made to ensure compliance with the applicable codes. Recognizing the difficult living situations faced by the families, the departments stand ready to provide the quickest response possible for requests for inspections and/or general questions. That has been our approach and will continue to be so.”
Meantime, tenants regained access to the complex on Thursday so they could retrieve their belongings.
Residents said they’re now paying for hotels out of their own pockets, and are frustrated with Avon Place management.
“At least [management] can come and talk to us, see what kind of conditions we are in, what kind of challenges we are facing; and then as a community we can work together,” Gupta said.
Residents said they’re working with Avon’s social services office to review their next steps are.
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